Football: Elkins, Kempner in showdown

GAME OF THE WEEKZone A match-up to provide berth edge

Published 5:30 am, Sunday, October 24, 2010

Kempner and Elkins emerged as the leaders after the first two weeks of District 23-5A, Zone A play, both taking perfect 2-0 zone records into their third games. But Elkins' had to be the more impressive.

The Knights finally broke through against Hightower, beating the Hurricanes for the first time under coach Robert Crivellari. The big victory gave Elkins a leg up in the race for a district championship game spot.

The Rangers, on the other hand, got off to their 2-0 start by beating Willowridge and Fort Bend Marshall, leaving them to face Hightower in Week 8. But a win over Bush in non-zone play established it as a legitimate contender.

TEAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Elkins: The Knights went from a team that couldn't score at the beginning of the season in an 8-3 squeaker over Dayton to a team that can't be stopped, which is what most people expected from them. They averaged 44.3 points per game in their first four games against district teams, including a school-record 59 points in a 59-14 win over Clements. … Elkins opened Zone A play with a 45-33 victory against Hightower. Elkins actually led 45-27 until the Hurricanes scored with no time left to make the game look a little closer than it actually was. Elkins had 510 total yards led by Jake Burkhalter, who completed 20 of 26 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns. Dorian Williams added 238 yards and three touchdowns on 36 carries. … Elkins followed that up with a 37-8 win over Willowridge. Burkhalter threw for 361 yards and two scores, giving him 1,566 yards and 16 TDs through seven games.

• Kempner: The Cougars started slow, losing their first three games to Seven Lakes, Pearland and Clear Lake. But their 34-28 overtime win over Bush, which is enjoying its best season in program history, turned things around. The rolled Fort Bend Austin the next week, then opened zone play with a 21-13 win over Willowridge. They beat Fort Bend Marshall 41-7 in Week 6 behind three touchdown runs by Julius White before a Week 7 bye, giving them plenty of time to prepare for this weekend's game vs. Hightower.